For when the One Great Scorer comes
To write against your name,
He marks-not that you won or lost-
But how you played the game. Grantland Rice, American sportwriter (1880-1954).
You might have heard this before, "It's not if you win or lose, but how you play the game." Written by Grantland Rice, it is from a long poem entitled "Alumnus Football".
Hey, I know I have photos of baseball on here instead of football but there is a reason and stay with me and I will explain it soon!
Did any of you get to watch much of the Summer Olympics from Rio? I have always enjoyed watching the Olympics and of course, I cheer whenever the USA wins a medal but you know what I remember the most from Rio? Michael Phelps won a record setting amount of medals, 28 in all, and 23 of them were gold. He didn't always come in first! (The announcers almost sounded apologetic about his lesser medals!) Simone Biles was just incredible, was she not? Here's the thing, she won four gold medals but she won the bronze because she bobbled on the balance beam. Honestly, I admired her all the more for doing that, to just keep going when you know you have not done your best.
The photo of the baseball player is from four years ago. Chipper Jones is retired now but he spent his entire 19 year career with the Atlanta Braves and he was a fantastic player!
I could give you all his stats but guess what I remember about him? One...whenever he took a base on balls or if he was hit by a pitch, he would always politely hand his bat to the ball boy. Always. The other thing...Chipper's real name is Larry Wayne Jones, Jr. The Braves would play the New York Mets at Shea Stadium and when Chipper would come to the plate, the fans there would taunt him and say, "Larry...Larry"...over and over! Did Chipper get mad about it? No! He said he enjoyed the fans! In fact, he named one of his sons, "Shea"! It tickles me to think of Chipper Jones visiting New York City. I am sure he gets the best treatment at all the restaurants and hotels, I bet they love him now!
So, my friends, can anyone tell me where I am going with this? I have been very busy at work and find it hard to think straight these days, so I am sure that one of you can sum this up for me. Be a good sport. be polite, be kind. And if someone intends an unkindness towards you, try to turn it into something positive. It's how we should all play the game!
Oh! I have had this on here before, but some of you might not have heard it. It is Harpo Marx playing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". They didn't call him "Harpo" for nothing! Enjoy.
Great post,Kay! Yes, it's how we 'play the game' of life also. Showing love and kindness when it isn't given to us. Hard to do sometimes but worth it in 'the end'.
ReplyDeleteAnd you know I love Chipper, always a Braves fan! Win or Lose!
Hey Sylvia! I love the Braves too! I do miss Chipper though! The Braves have been winning off and on lately, and it has been very fun to watch! I loved it when Markakis hit that wall, and then, won the game with a walk off home run! That's what I'm talking about! :-) OH! And what about Freddie falling into over the wall, and last night, he had his 70th hit! Great stuff!
DeleteIt's true...how we play the game is what matters.
ReplyDeleteIt is always best to LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, right?
Delete:-)
Harpo was brilliant, in music and in comedy. You are right on target with how we play our respective games being very important.
ReplyDeleteHey Mimi!
DeleteGuess I don't have to tell you to look on the bright side. Still praying for your flooded area, glad you're okay. xx
Kay, I know how well you love your father...baseball is how my dad and I connected at times. He would watch games on TV on Saturdays at times and I would watch some of them with him. I would have to say baseball is probably my favorite sport. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteYes, it is great fun to watch the game with my Dad on the other end of the phone! I think I also love baseball best of all but then, it reminds me of my Dad, so it would! Blessings to you, my friend! xx
DeleteIt's been a rough year for the Braves, but we've stuck with them. Freddy is the new Chipper and it's fun to watch Ender Inciarte becoming a really goo player. Hopefully next year will be better.
ReplyDeleteFreddy is one of my faves! I love how he hugs everybody! And that Ender Iciarte, I have very much enjoyed watching him play! Even with this bad season, it has still been fun. :-)
DeleteGood rules for the game of life!
ReplyDeleteI think so too! And hey, who is number one in wins for baseball right now? The Toronto Blue Jays! Oh Canada!
Delete:-)
As you know baseball is my sport. I agree with your outlook. What I say in the privacy is my own. But to boo or catcall a player from either team is a low-class thing to do. I remember the episode of I Love Lucy when Harpo played his harp. It is one of my favorites. It also has the mirror effect pantomime with a twist at the end.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I am always surprised when a fan throws a ball back after a homerun. I have never seen that at a Braves game! I well remember the mirror/pantomime scene, it is so good! And yes, I think you are a big Tigers fan, right?
DeleteTigers all the way. I would never throw the ball back. Someone would treasure the souvenir if I didn't. My niece's son caught a foul ball at a Tiger's game this summer. He was so thrilled. Not bad for an 11 year old.
DeleteGood motto to live by.
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of positive things that are good to remember!
DeleteHow true. For a change the Brits did pretty good as well in Rio instead of the usual gallant losers and runners up. All the Marx Brothers were a talented bunch and their films are still classics of cinema even now.
ReplyDeleteI cheered for the Brits too! I even watched the Brit win his gold medal in golf and I don't even like golf! (Only saw the last 15 minutes, but hey, that was the best part!) Love the Marx brothers!
DeleteI know what you mean about being so busy you have a hard time thinking straight. It's been a long time since I worked like that; it cost me part of my health and contributed to the end of my first marriage, so I am very careful never to get in such a situation again.
ReplyDeleteNot that I mind work - quite the contrary, I really enjoy work and I like my job a lot. It's just the "how much" and to balance it with the rest of one's life, isn't it.
I've not been following the Olympics and don't know more about Baseball than what I read on your blog, but it's always interesting to see what you noticed and what you know!
It is all about the balance, isn't is? Very glad that you seem so happy now, both in your work life and personal life! Everything is OK!
DeleteBaseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet...that used to be a TV ad for Chevrolet showing American things, guess it is true!
I've heard that phrase before. I think everyone has. But I've never heard where it came from before. I didn't know it was part of a longer poem about football. That's pretty interesting. That baseball player sounds like a real gem. I wonder how his kid felt when he learned he was named after a rival stadium like that though.
ReplyDeleteHey Mark! Stick with me and you will see even more obscure facts! LOL.
DeleteChipper Jones is so well liked, it wouldn't have mattered. Speaking of naming boys, did you see that Michael Phelps named his son BOOMER? Tickled me, it reminds me of the dog from the film Independence Day!
As you know, I watch the Rio Olympics almost non-stop. I was a committed viewer, and I enjoyed every moment. I cheered for everyone no matter what country they represented; and, of course, I cheered loudly for the Aussies. I didn't cheer for those who had the dark shadow of drug-taking hanging over them, such as the Chinese swimmer and Justin Gatlin. I screamed loudly for Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps...and I loved little Simone Biles. I also was in awe of the rhythmic gymnasts.
ReplyDeleteIt was all so very good. And Rio did themselves proud.
It's a pity Ryan Lochte didn't follow suit. I can't believe he's going on "Dancing with the Stars"!
Lee, I thought of you when I wrote about the Olympics! Ryan Lochte...oh dear, I think he lied to his mother about what happened, and then, he just kept that story going. I am prepared to like him in that show, he just better not tell us any more "porkies"!
DeleteLoved this post, Kay. We had fun watching the Olympics when we were in Illinois with our daughter and family, and yes, we always admire those athletes who competed with grace, dignity, compassion and honor.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to watch them with your family! Grace, dignity, compassion and honor...that is it exactly, thank you, my friend, for your insightful comment.
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